State (8-1) with 16

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HOUSTON -- After turning the tables on the Cubs by producing a pitching performance on Saturday essentially equal to what Chicago managed in the series opener on Friday night, the Astros set the stage for a rubber match that will not only determine the winner of their final interleague series of the season, but also potentially establish the tone for the final three weeks of their postseason push.The Astros (75-67) snapped a three-game skid with a 2-1 win Saturday, relying on four hitless innings from their four-headed, right-handed bullpen monster of Chris Devenski, Will Harris, Luke Gregerson and Ken Giles, and the continuing emergence of rookie infielder Alex Bregman, who bashed his eighth homer to give Houston a lead it would not relinquish.Much was made of the Astros 13-game stretch against first-place teams, and while they have four more games remaining before completing that arduous run on the schedule, their effort over the last six games indicates the Astros are invested.We know whats ahead of us: Its a race to as many wins as we can get, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. I dont know whats going to happen with the teams ahead of us. We can all predict what we think is going to happen based on schedules and things like that but we need as many wins as we can get. I dont care if were playing a last-place team right now or a first-place team. Theres a sense of urgency that our guys feel that we know we need to win.Right-hander Mike Fiers (10-6, 4.29 ERA) will start the series finale for the Astros against Chicago. Fiers is 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA over five games (four starts) against the Cubs, including a 6-1 win at Wrigley Field on May 2, 2015, in which he recorded 12 strikeouts while allowing one run in six innings while pitching for the Brewers.The Cubs (90-51) will counter with right-hander Jake Arrieta (16-6, 2.84 ERA), who will be making his first career appearance against the Astros. Excluding the Cubs, Houston is the only team Arrieta (2-1 with a 1.93 ERA in four interleague starts this season) has yet to face in his career.Despite the loss on Saturday, the Cubs were rewarded by another strong defensive effort from shortstop Javier Baez, who was stellar at third base in the series opener.Baez cut down George Springer at the plate for the final out of the seventh inning with a precise relay throw from right fielder Jason Heyward to catcher Willson Contreras, who applied the tag on the foot of Springer as he dove for home plate.While playing second, short and third base, Baez has accumulated 15 defensive runs saved. Not only is he a versatile infielder, Baez is a gifted defensive presence.My asking of him has been make the routine play routinely and if its not there and you have to do something extraordinary, please by all means do that, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Baez. For the most part since weve had that conversation Ive seen him do the routine stuff routinely and he still has a flair for the dramatic. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. SEATTLE -- Kelsey Plum was dreading the extra attention that was accompanying her quest for the Pac-12 career scoring record.Plum put together a performance on Sunday worthy of the extra attention.Im just glad its over and we can move on, Plum said.Plum matched her season-high with 44 points and became the Pac-12s career scoring leader in No. 11 Washingtons 92-66 win over Boise State on Sunday.Plum entered the day needing 23 points to surpass the mark of Stanfords Chiney Ogwumike, who finished her career in 2014 with 2,737 points. Plum nearly accomplished the record in the first half, scoring 22 points before the break. Plum hit back-to-back 3-pointers to push the Huskies lead to 19 and then made two free throws with 34 seconds left to tie the mark.After missing her first two shots of the second half, Plum made a pair of free throws with 8:38 left in the third quarter to set the new mark. The record was not acknowledged until after the game and she finished one off her career high of 45 set as a sophomore against Oklahoma.Plum would have preferred the record not to be acknowledged at all. Or the likely attention that will come from her quest for 3,000 points or even the NCAA career scoring record as the season progresses.ddddddddddddI wish at times I wish we could focus on more important things. I know its part of the process and part of what comes with the territory, Plum said. But for me as a basketball player it doesnt make it fun. To be honest I was a little dreading this game. Im glad that it worked out the way it did.Plum, the national scoring leader, finished 15 of 26 shooting and added nine rebounds. She had five 3s to give her 265, tying the school career record. Plum individually outscored five teams on Sunday.Washington (10-1) won its seventh straight despite getting just six minutes out of Chantel Osahor, who left early in the game with an apparent head injury. Washington coach Mike Neighbors didnt have details about Osahors injury.Marijke Vanderschaaf led Boise State (8-1) with 16 points. The Broncos were off to their best start in 41 years. Boise States 8-0 start was tied for third longest in school history to begin a season. ' ' '